Fri Dec 13 16:14:49 UTC 2024: **India Aims for Green Energy Independence, Experts Discuss Sustainable Infrastructure at Adani University Conference**
Ahmedabad, India – Experts gathered at the second International Conference on Infrastructure Development and Sustainability (ICIDS) at Adani University this week to discuss India’s ambitious energy transition and its implications for infrastructure development. The conference, held December 11-12, highlighted India’s progress toward its 2047 goal of energy import independence and its potential to become a net exporter of green energy.
Speakers emphasized the interconnectedness of energy transition and infrastructure building, particularly given India’s rapid economic growth. Professor Ravi P Singh, Provost of Adani University, noted India’s current energy capacity of approximately 450 GW, with nearly half coming from non-fossil fuel sources. He highlighted the target of reaching 500 GW by 2030, suggesting this may need to be accelerated.
Professor Arun Sharma, Vice President of Adani University, stressed the importance of responsible and sustainable infrastructure development. He pointed out that India currently spends over $200 billion annually on energy imports, making the transition crucial. He highlighted the potential for India to become a net exporter of green energy, particularly through green hydrogen.
The conference featured keynote speaker Professor Bharat Dahiya from Thammasat University, who emphasized the need for long-term planning, including 100-year strategies, and the incorporation of nature-based solutions in infrastructure development. He also stressed the importance of policy reforms and local participation in decision-making.
The event included panel discussions on urban transportation, energy transitions, urban transformation, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure. Discussions covered topics such as embedding carbon footprints at the city level, the challenges of evacuating power from remote renewable energy projects, innovative urban development initiatives, and exploring new avenues for PPPs in infrastructure operation and development. Over 50 research papers were presented by scholars from around the world. The conference also saw the launch of a “Book of Abstracts” and the release of a compendium of research papers from the previous conference. The overall consensus was that sustainable infrastructure and a rapid shift towards green energy are vital for India’s continued economic development and its global role in addressing climate change.
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